James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a

There are many examples in scripture, history, and contemporary culture who claim to be wise but live as fools. Consider in 1 Corinthians where the Apostle Paul must defend himself against the “wisdom of the wise” people who antagonize Paul’s ministry there. Consider the Pharisees who quiz Jesus on his understanding of Scripture but turn out to be “whitewashed tombs.” One can list many examples of the foolishness found in the modern day. There are many who claim to be wise and understanding whether the evidence backs up that claim.

What continues to be troubling is that the kind of “wisdom” which emerges from envy, selfish ambition, and boasting is celebrated as what it looks like to live into one’s truth and identity. Living life for one’s self, putting others down to get ahead, and shouting loud boasts about what one knows seems to be getting the money, votes, and clicks today. James speaks loud and clear, warning the church against such foolishness falsely named as wisdom. For the Church, this cannot be the way forward toward faithful and wise living.

Throughout his letter, James explains to the church the dire need to unite faith and action. Faith without works is dead, and what kind of works are produced by our lives show the validity of our beliefs as they reflect the nature and character of God. Where faith and deeds do not align, brokenness can occur within the self, making someone “double minded” as they live a different life than they claim. This can also cause fragmentation in the community of believers. In our passage specifically he continues to address some of the root causes of quarrels in the church, namely foolishness and envy. 

James address the “wise” among the churches. He is perhaps challenging those in the churches to be discerning of those who claim to be wise. Wisdom should align with one’s actions, and James draws clear distinctions between earthly and heavenly wisdom. Earthly wisdom, at its heart is envious and self-serving. When one does not have power, others’ attention, riches, fame – their own selfish desires – earthly wisdom and understanding become a tool for gaining those things. One sees their own understanding as leverage to gain what they do not have. This kind of wisdom is really foolishness. One is reminded of Proverbs 14:29-30, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” James says similarly that wisdom which comes from an envious heart produces chaotic wickedness (3:16).

Heavenly wisdom on the other hand does not come from envy or selfishness. Rather, for something to be “heavenly” it must be of God. Godly wisdom is described by James as “pure” of first importance. This purity is akin to holiness – that which is reflective of the nature and character of God. For one to truly define wisdom with the other markers James uses, one must begin with holiness. If wisdom is submissive, to what is it submitting? If considerate, of what kind of consideration? Of what kind mercy is it full? Heavenly wisdom looks like God in its being considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. For us to know this wisdom truly, God must make God’s self known, and God has. James is adamant that when believers seek this wisdom, God generously gives (1:5).

Where earthly wisdom may champion what makes us look more sophisticated, confident, proud, and attractive toward others, the Church’s way of measuring wisdom is by the metric of Christ-like faithfulness. It is the way of the cross that proclaims strength, the way of humility that speaks true wisdom. This way of Christ is not just sentimental religious banter but can be seen in tangible actions! Even though James is clearly warning against earthly wisdom and how it manifests in unfaithful action, interpretations of this passage should place it in the context of James’ overall warning against isolating faith to merely an exercise of the heart and mind. When the Church fully dedicates itself to the holy wisdom of God revealed in Christ, we exemplify that wisdom in the way we live it out in our actions. As the fruit of the Spirit can be seen and known in tangible ways, the ways of wisdom are seen in how the Church acts wisely.

James extends this then to how we resolve conflict in the church. If foolishness is bound to envy, then it will manifest itself in quarrels and arguments. James has gotten to the root of these divisions in 3:13-18 by naming envy as the root of foolishness, and so he addresses in 4:3 and 4:7-8 the divisions in the churches caused by envy. If pride is taken out of the equation and is replaced by a lifestyle bound to heavenly wisdom with its mercy, peace, and impartial sincerity, the church is better able to come to a place of unity. What is more, the church recognizes in wisdom’s submission to God where everything it needs truly comes from. For James, quarrels in the church come from the desire to want what we do not have. So, if the Church lives into God-given heavenly wisdom, it recognizes and acts as if it knows who can give all it needs. If we have all we need, if we ask God to give us what we need, then our prideful search for what we want and our game of comparison to others ends. The charge of James then is to submit ourselves – mind, soul, strength, faith and action – wholly to God! For from God comes every good gift, full wisdom and faithful living. In God, we have all that we need. If the Church is wise, if it is unified and holy, it is only in as much as it practices its faith in this God who has revealed God’s self in Christ.